This season we have been focusing on the theme of Resilience by checking in with participants in the various programs offered by ConTextos. One of the programs we launched just as the pandemic began to take hold was an online version of Authors

Authors Circle Alumni

Jan 7th, 2021 17m 22s

In our third season of Complicating the Narrative, ConTextos alumni Mariah and Tatiana are back to bring us stories of resilience. Each episode this season will explore resilience in the context of one of our ConTextos Authors Circle programs.

Authors Circle and IMAN Green ReEntry

Jan 7th, 2021 24m 35s

In our third season of Complicating the Narrative, ConTextos alumni Mariah and Tatiana are back to bring us stories of resilience. Each episode this season explores resilience in the context of one of our ConTextos Authors Circle programs. In t

Authors Circle and the MAAFA Redemption Project

Nov 26th, 2020 20m 14s

Dear Chicago: Youth Telling Their Truths

Nov 4th, 2020 42m 38s

Feel Me, Then Heal Us

Jul 3rd, 2020 26m 54s

In this episode Charles elaborates on his Chicago-Sun Times op-ed, in which he tells his story, describes the need for healing in his community, and proposes steps that can lead to solving the problems he identifies.

Pondering the Moment

Jun 11th, 2020 41m 41s

In this episode student, educator, and Chicago native Kashif Johnson has a conversation with Dimitri about America's tumultuous soul-searching regarding race. Several recent events have brought the perpetually unresolved issue of racism in Amer

Lockdown

May 12th, 2020 48m 20s

In this episode, Johnny Page, Charles, Darrius, and Dimitri discuss social distancing and its comparisons to lockdown in a jail or prison. In this conversation, they also share which aspects of this "new normal" they hope will continue after th

Complicated History

Mar 3rd, 2020 54m 27s

In this episode, Zay, Dr. Moore, Charles, and Dimitri discuss their experiences with Black History month as students and beyond. In addition to discussing the history of the yearly celebration of the culture and contributions of African America

Members and Bangers

Feb 4th, 2020 35m 35s

In this episode Zay and Duke, two of our published ConTextos Authors, have a conversation with Johnny and Dimitri about gang affiliation. In this conversation we talk about what a gang is, how it is that young people may become involved in gang

Bonus

Bonus Episode: Checking in with Mariah and Tatiana

Jan 14th, 2020 38m 18s

Two of our Author/Producers from Season 1 stopped by to catch up and share what they've been up to since going away to college. In this bonus episode hosted by Dimitri, Tatiana and Mariah discuss their first semester in college, advice for high

Homecoming

Dec 2nd, 2019 57m 41s

On this premiere episode of Complicating the Narrative: Season 2, we bring you two discussions centering on the idea of coming home from incarceration. After reading an excerpt from his memoir about the day he came home, ConTextos Author Dougla

Bonus

Bonus Episode: Jennifer, Johnny, and Dimitri on Complicating the Narrative

Oct 25th, 2019 33m 25s

In this bonus episode of the Complicating the Narrative podcast, Johnny (ConTextos Chicago), Jennifer (ConTextos El Salvador), and Dimitri (ConTextos Chicago) have a conversation about the power and potential of podcasting as a platform and as

Enemy of the Neighborhood

Oct 16th, 2019 14m 24s

Tak and Tat talk about the battles of wanting success and being looked at as an enemy by your own peers because of it. They explore their own experiences, those of another friend, and those of entrepreneur Marty Nesbitt. They discuss solutions

Shell Shock

Oct 1st, 2019 8m 9s

In this episode, Mariah and Jerry discuss Jerry’s experience adjusting to society after spending 20 years behind bars. They explore stigmas placed on formerly incarcerated individuals that exist as barriers to successful re-entry, and provide h

Trust is Like a Mirror

Sep 23rd, 2019 10m 35s

Mariah and Jerry discuss trust issues within families and how they can complicate the family dynamic. In this episode they interview an African American Literature professor, a clinical psychologist, and a 27 year old Contextos author who bring

The War Next Door

Sep 16th, 2019 20m 8s

In this episode of Complicating the Narrative, Tak and Tat cover Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in their own way. They interview an army veteran, a school teacher, and a psychologist to understand aspects of PTSD from different viewpoints. Tako

Breaking the Goldfish Syndrome

Aug 30th, 2019 35m

In this episode, Charlez and Duke explore factors that may lead to incarceration of youth, reasons it can be hard to break the cycle of incarceration, and some possible solutions. "The Goldfish Syndrome" is a term they coined to refer to the ge

Training the Pet of the Soul

Aug 19th, 2019 16m 23s

This episode is about training your pet - your inner self. Charles has a one on one conversation with Duke about his experience with meditation and how it has transformed his life by helping him by giving him a better way to overcome trauma